Well.. I think I'll have to check the Rates issue, but I was planning on trying to avoid the Rates, by not letting the council know I've moved in... the landlord agrees that I won't have to pay outstanding rates..but is this worth anything?, I wonder. I'd be signing the lease with an estate agent, who has verbally agreed many things, including imdemfying me against previous Rates.
This planning issue is a toughie.. is planning required for changes to the inside of the unit? Could the landlord be told to remove it?
The property is small by industrial standards.. about 1,400 sq Feet on the ground, and another 1,100 up above.. but it has things I like, like a spray room ready to go,with fans and heaters, and a canteen and offices above, and showroom space.
The rent seems good to me, about 1,000 a month. + VAT. with some sweeteners, like some free time, and equipment in the spray room, and excellent power systems... and a short lease.
The point is that I don't want to be employing solicitors, and checking every last thing.. I may just skip some of this, and hope for the best, and rely on verbal agreements, which I have verification of... I've been five years in my current place, with no written lease at all!!, and it's worked out fine...but I know that may have been lucky enough.
I may just make verbal agreements, backed up by writing.. saying that if the Rates or Planning issue come back to haunt me, that I can then exit the lease with no penalties... most people are honourable, and will stick to their agreements I'd hope..
I'll ring the council about the rates, ,and do nothing about the planning.. but mention to the landlord that if there's a problem with the mezzanine, that I can move out with no penalty.
I have just rang about rates, they say they're due for 2010, and are 2,400 per six months!!!, that's a bit much, but the address seems to be wrong, and the girl who deals with Rates isn't in today... so I'll have to wait until Monday to get a final answer.
By the way, the rent has been agreed just by agreeing... no mention of square footage and all that... but it works out about 8.15 + VAT Euros / year per square foot, not including the mezz, and about 4.50 Euros + VAT per sq foot / year if the mezz is included.. not sure if these are good or not, for properties in Wicklow.
Thanks for all the help.